Bandai Namco Games America Inc. announces partnership with Marvel for Rise of Incarnates comic book series and game

July 23, 2014

SAN JOSE Calif., (July 23, 2014) – Leading video game publisher and developer, BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc., today announced a custom publishing program with Marvel Custom Solutions to package and distribute a 16-issue comic book series entitled Rise of Incarnates—the new Free-to-Play game developed by BANDAI NAMCO Studios. The exciting new comic series debuts today with issues #1 & #2 in a combined, double-sized volume which will be handed out at both the BANDAI NAMCO booth and BANDAI NAMCO Fighting Game Panel at San Diego Comic-Con®.

For those not attending San Diego Comic-Con, thousands of copies of the special combined issue will be available at approximately 2,500 comic specialty shops supporting Marvel Comics for freebeginning tomorrow, July 24th. In addition, the comics will be accessible for free digitally through the Marvel Unlimited Comics App (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch® & Android™ devices) so that gamers and comic book aficionados around the world will be able to dive into the intrepid storyline of Rise of Incarnates.

Forged by the creators of the TEKKEN® and SOULCALIBUR® franchises, Rise of Incarnates unleashes unfettered combat upon a ravaged world on the brink of destruction. Meteorites falling from the sky and massive cold fronts sweeping across the land represent only a portion of the unending onslaught of catastrophe the future world is faced with. The mysterious “cube phenomena” has enveloped the people of Earth with perpetual fear, and among them are those known as “Incarnates”—humans with extraordinary abilities drawn from Daimones, or spiritual manifestations of the gods, demons, and monsters of all the world’s mythology.

In the mind of each and every Incarnate there speaks a voice: “To avoid certain destruction, you must defeat the Sovereign of this era.” Each Incarnate will respond to this message differently; some lamenting it as an ill omen for the future, while others relishing the ensuing chaos as a pretext to fulfill their base desires. With their own interpretations and reasons to fight, the Incarnates enter the fray to determine the fate of humanity in a world that will never be the same.

“Rise of Incarnates is not only an ideal vehicle for dynamic and engaging fighting gameplay, it also possesses an enterprising storyline featuring a destitute world and compelling characters who have untold powers and widely varying motivations to do both good and evil,” said In Joon Hwang, Director of Digital Games at BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. “All of these ingredients come together to create an incredible action comic book series, and we are absolutely thrilled about this partnership with Marvel, as they are an undeniable powerhouse in the creation and distribution of comics.”

“BANDAI NAMCO Games and Marvel working together was a no-brainer,” said Jonathan Rheingold, Vice President of Marvel Custom Solutions. “Both companies hold to the highest standards of quality storytelling, artistic talent recruitment and character creation, so it was a natural connection for Marvel to offer its expertise to the legendary video game developer in packaging and distributing the comic book adaptation of Rise of Incarnates.”

About BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content — including all major video game consoles, iOS, mobile and online. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball®, GALAGA®, RIDGE RACER® and ACE COMBAT®. More information about the company and its products can be found at www.bandainamcogames.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS

About Marvel Custom Solutions

Custom Solutions is Marvel’s in-house creative agency that leverages all the greatest talent within Marvel Entertainment to create highly dynamic and compelling content and campaigns for global brands. Marvel Custom Solutions has the ability to deploy the work it creates through its robust print, digital, social and theatrical platforms, adding scale to the programs it creates.

Current designer, future artist, eternal manchild, Ryan "The Superfly" Prast uses his toynerd acumen to delve deep into the profound nuances of life. With a penchant for tiny plastic men and nostalgia of times past, he also enjoys panelology, obscure cultural references, tomfoolery and/or shenanigans, conspiracy theories, and watching his Cubs flush another season down the toilet. And he always keeps his fork when there’s pie.